Saturn is the day time ruler of Aquarius and has triplicity by day also as well as terms in the first six degrees, making Aquarius the stronger placement for Saturn. This is not to say that this placement is “better” for Saturn, just that under the right conditions; diurnally, it has the potential for the greatest essential dignity.

The fact that Saturn has rulership over the sign of Aquarius indicates that contrary to much modern interpretations and psychological analysis, Aquarius is far more like Saturn and concerned with the same things as Saturn than that new rival Uranus. And the fact that Saturn “rules” this sign more so than it does Capricorn (its night time rulership) is testament to the fact that this placement in natal charts is one of the most beneficial and noble placements possible. This is not to say that Uranus, planet of invention and revolution has nothing at all to do with Aquarius, just that Saturn´s essential dignities are here also.

Saturn when found in Aquarian terrain is actually in an air element. Saturn´s nature is to build and to construct. In Capricorn the preceeding sign Saturn had constructed physical basics of civilisation, walls, churches, city halls, and other central government buildings which establish hierarchy and structure. The sign of Aquarius is of a rather different nature, Aquarius is not interested in Pyramid structures within society, but rather in allowing dialogue and representation. Aquarius as the third air sign is most concerned with relationships with people, and people that extend beyond his brothers (Gemini) and beyond his wife and enemies (Libra) and into all people of his nation and even beyond his nation.

These relationships are with people who have no blood relation to himself. They have neither blood relation, nor in fact do they need to have anything in common with him except to bring something to the table that is different and interesting in order for him to learn something new. Aquarius as an air sign gives Saturn the intellectual and spiritual capability to know and awful lot about human nature and about how to get along with people. And true to the Aquarius ideal, people are by far the most interesting thing for Saturn here. It should come as no surprise then that Saturn in Aquarius builds structures where people are given voice and where “equality” is the idea behind it. The Houses of Parliament, the House of Representatives or more simply the “Public House” is in essence of the nature of Saturn in Aquarius. The Pub of course might be deemed as a Piscean invention due to the free flow of drink, but in fact it is primarily a place where people meet, and generally talk, and exchange ideas, it also fits the image of the “water bearer” in that the place is essentially air, but accepts and gives water to all of humanity.

It is interesting to note that Saturn in Aquarius is given a very strong sense of sociability. This is the reason for the liking of all things which allow for free discussion but adhere in principle to a fixed belief system, as Aquarius is one exceedingly fixed and unchangeable sign. Socialism fits into some of the interests of Aquarius Saturn though it is not so much that Saturn here is in revolution against the system, but that Saturn is convinced that all men are equal, and that all deserve a right to life and liberty. Like the other air signs Aquarius is capable of being contrary and in air, Saturn is able to confuse. For in taking up something like socialism, Saturn is in effect only trying to connect with his fellow human being, the idea here is that Saturn wants to build a society, or a civilisation in which all are happy and safe.

The idea is to reject Imperialism and to favour socialism and highlight the suffering of working people, but then to turn against the original idea and to criticise socialist regimes that end up oppressing even worse than the original empire. The dignity of Saturn in this position comes from his desire to serve humanity, this placement is one that lends help and is interested in creating relationships within the human race as a whole based on nothing more than friendship and good will.

This Saturn constructs buildings under the ray of Aquarius which are primarily interested in promoting tolerance, not just tolerance but friendship and community as well as all intellectual and scientific knowledge. Saturn here uses his knowledge and wisdom to construct edifices in the sky; Universities, and places where people meet in the interest of bettering humanity are some of his works. It is not only freedom that Saturn wants here, freedom on a personal level, but freedom and unity, perhaps individual freedom and united humanity.